Rebound device



Nov. 17,A 1942. c. E. cAEs'rEcKER REBOUND DEVICE Filed May 29, 1940 Patented Nov. 17, 1942 UNITED TATES 'zanosi iil'iiiii 'if' OFFECE (C11. EOG-52) 11 Claiins.

The present invention pertains to rebound devices of the type employed in connection with amusernent game apparatus such pin games wherein one or more balls or projectiles are caused to be impelled over the surface of the playing field of the game. Devices of this type are usually placed upon the playing field at such locations as to aiford substantial possibility for encounter by a ball.

There have been heretcfore various types of rebound devices employed in game apparatus of the type above referred to. Some of such devices are formed with a body of translucent material for enclosing an electrical lamp and the exterior of the body is provided with a resilient band of material adapted to be impinged by a ball travelling over the playing field of the game for causing rebound of the ball over the playing field.

Another form of rebound device that has been extensively used is in the form of a coil spring pendently supported at its upper end on a standard, and including a switch connected in an electrical circuit to be controlled, adapted to be closed when the coil spring is impinged by a ball.

More particularly the resent invention is directed to rebound devices of the type including a translucent body for enclosing an illuminated lamp, and including a control member adapted when engaged by a ball travelling over the playing field of the for temporarily closing a switch connected in an electrical circuit to be Controlled. Devices of this general type which have heretofore been proposed have in all instances been composed of a multiplicity of parts which must be assembled at the time of mounting upon the game board and which necessitate substantial time and care in the assembly.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved form of rebound device including a novel construction and arrangen'ient of a normally open resilient switch adapted to be controlled by a tiltable disc dispcsed in close proximity to the top of the playing board and adapted to be engagod and tilted when encountered by a ball for closing the switch.

Another object is to provide an improved rebound device of the type including an illuminated lamp enclosed within a translucent body together with a normally open resi zent switch, and wherein the device is charact zed by a novel construction and arrangement of parts which permits preasseinbiy of the entire devices for convenient mounting as a unit on the game board.

A further object is to provide an improved device of the Character indicated which is of comparatively simple construction, durable in operation and capable of being economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of this nvention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accornpanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a fragmentary portion of a game board on which the rebound device embodying the present invention is mounted.

Figure 2 is a Vertical axial section through the device, taken substantially as indicated at line 2-2 on Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are transverse horizontal sections through the device, taken substantially as indicated at lines 2-3 and 4-54, respectively, on Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the underside of the game board showing the electrical connections to the rebound device, and taken as indicated at line 5-5 on Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view through the device, taken as indicated at line fion Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a fraginentary Vertical sectional view taken as indicated at line 'l-'l on Figure 2.

In the drawing the rebound device is indicated generally at Ill mounted in upright position on the playing field or board I l of a game apparatus. The rebound device includes a hollo-w body 12, preferably of cylindrical cross section, the upper end of which is open to afford access to the interior of the body, and which is adapted to be closed by a head or top member M which is formed for a snug telescopic fit with the upper marginal portion of the body. Said body and top, as well as other parts of the device which will hereinafter be described, are for purposes of econorny in manufacture and improved appearance formed of thermo-plastic material and preferably said material is of a translucent character so as to permit the passage of light therethrough.

The outer wall of the body is forined with an annular rccess or seat |5 in which is mounted a resilient annular band VS, such as of rubber, and which as may be seen in the drawing is positioned with respect to the top of the playing field l l so as to be impinged by a ball traversing the playing field. The resilient band in additio-n to substantially reducing the noise incident to encounter by a ball also serves to reproject the ball over the surface of the playing field for purposes of increasing the action and stimulating the interest of the players of the game.

The body is mounted in fixed spaced apart relation to a base IB which includes an annular body I9 seated fiush against the top surface of the playing field I i and a central depending sleeve Ila extending snugly in an aperture E formed in the playing field, as seen in Figure 2 of the drawing. The lower end of said sleeve is formed with an annular shoulder 'ZI which serves as a seat.

The body and the base member are interconnected by two pair of cooperating telescoping sleeves 23 and '24 carried on the body and base member respectively, said pairs of sleeves being arranged in diametrically opposite relation, and serve to definitely position the body I'2 with respect to the base IB. The body also includes a pair of diametrically opposite sleeves 25 arranged at right angles to the sleeves 23 and the lower ends of said sleeves 25 vare adapted to be seated in relatively shallow recesses 26 formed in the upper surface of the annular portion `Ii) of the base I8, as seen in Figure '7 of the drawing.

As may be seen in Figure 2, the body I2 is disposed in spaced apart relation with respect to the base I`8 by virtue of the sleeve connections above described, and interposed between said body and base is a circular tiltable disc 30, disposed in relatively close proximity and substantially parallel relation to the upper surface of the playing field II so as to be encountered by a ball rolling over the playing field. The outer marginal edge of the disc 30 is tapered as seen in the drawing to facilitate ac'tuation by a ball. The disc 30 is rockably mounted with respect to the body I 2 and includes a central upstanding boss 32 extending loosely into a cavity 33 formed in the underside of the body I'2. Said disc is also provided with apertures 34 in registration with the respective sets of sleeves 24 and 25 and it is to be understood that said apertures are of adequate size as not to impede rocking movement of the disc when engaged by a ball.

The disc is normally yieldingly maintained in a substantially horizontal position by a coil spring 38, disposed within the sleeve ISEL of the base member and seated against the annular shoulder 2|, with the upper end of the spring formed and connected for reacting against the underside of said disc. In the present construction it is desirable to utilize the spring as a current conducting element in an electrical circuit. For this purpose the upper end of said spring is connected adjacent the underside of the disc to a centrally depending rod 38 which is secured to said disc and eXtends downwardly through the aperture 20 in the game board. The rod is also formed as a current conduoting element, and as may be seen in Figures 2, and 6, said rod normally extends substantially centrally through a fixed annular contact ring 39, which is rigidly secured to a mounting bracket 40, carried on the underside of the playing field I I.

To insure good electrical contact and avoid arcing as well as pitting of the rod, said annular ring is preferably formed of carbon material and is tightly anchored in an aperture formed in the bracket 40.

It will now be apparent that the rod 38 and the ring 39 become in effect a switch for making and breaking an electrical circuit and it is to be understood that said electrical circuit may be utilized for actuating various types of devices or apparatus associated with games of this general type.

It will now be apparent that the spring 38 yieldingly maintains the disc 30 in substantially horiZontal position with the rod 30 out of engagement with the wall of the contact ring 33, and when the disc is engaged by a ball traversing the playing field said disc is tilted or rocked about its connection to the body I2, and thereby swings the rod 33 into engagement with the wall of the annular carbon contact element 39 to temporarily complete an electrical circuit, which is instantly broken when the ball due to rebound against the resilient band I 6 again frees the disc 30 for assuming normal position under control of the coil spring 36.

It is to be understood that the bracket 40 is a current conductor and may be connected in any suitable manner to a conductor Wire in the electrical circuit to be Controlled. The other side of the circuit may be completed from the coil spring 36 and for this purpose the coil spring is seated on an annular ring 42 of current conducting material, including a depending arm 43 which extends into a groove formed in the shoulder 2I- of the base member and through the aperture 20 in the game board. The portion below the game board II, is bent over against and secured to the underside of said game board, as seen in Figure 7 of the drawing, said bent over portion providing a terminal for connection to an electrical conductor Wire.

The entire device is fixedly mounted on the game board by means of a pair of screws 44 which extend through the game board I I and the fiange I 9 of the base I8, into threaded engagement with the sleeves 25 of the body member I2, as seen in Figures 5 and 7. One of the screws extends through the bent portion of the arm 43 of said ring 42 and fixedly secures said ring in proper seated position for making electrical contact with the spring 36, while the other screw secures the bracket 40 in a fixed position of adjustment on the underside of the game board. It

r may be understood that the aperture in the bracket 40 for accommodating said screw is elongated and due to the fact that the bracket is connected by a single fastening element 44 the annular contact ring 39 may be quickly and easily adjusted to insure proper centralization of the aperture therecf with respect to the cooperating rod 38.

The bottom of the body, as may be seen in Figure 3, includes a central area or web I2a on which is mounted a socket for an electric light lamp indicated at 5|. The socket includes a pair of terminals 53 and 54 extending in diametrically opposite directions and which are soldered to conductor pins 55 which extend downwardly through the cooperating sleeves 23, 24 of the body and base members, and through the game board II, and their lower ends, below said board serving as terminals for connection to conductor wires in an electrical circuit for energizing the lamp 5|.

It will be apparent that if desired said lamp 5| may be connected in the electrical circuit including the switch composed of rod 38 and ring 39, and which is Controlled by the tilting or rocking of the disc 30 when encountered by a ball traversing the playing field, or as shown, connected in a separate or independent electrical circuit.

For economy in manufacture and facility of assembly of parts of the device as well as improved appearance, the base IB as well as the tiltable disc 30 are also formed of thermcplastic material.

It will now be apparent that the rebound device above described has parts thereof so Constructed and arranged so as to permit preassembly of said parts in a manner so that said device may be mounted quickly and easily as a complete selfcontained unit on the playing field of a game board. Such a construction results in substantial saving of time and care which is essential in assembling and mounting devices of this general type heretofore employed.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of substantial modification and rea'rangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understcod as limiting this invention to the precise form herein shown and described, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I Claim as my invention:

1. A device of the Character described. adapted for use with a game board over which a ball is impelled, comprising a base member adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of the game board in registry with an aperture formed therein, a bumper body member connected to base member, a disc loosely mounted between said member in close proximity to the upp surface of the game board, and having a ro... able connection with one of said members for movcment independently of said members, the marginal portion of said disc extending laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting said disc about its rockable connection, said members and disc being constructed for assembly as unitary structure for mounting directly on the game board, and switch means, connected in an electrical Circuit to be Controlled, including a pair of cooperating elements, one of said elements being mounted for mcvement with said disc, whereby tilting of said disc shifts said one element relatively to the other element.

2. A device of the character desc"ibed, adapted for usewith a game board over which a ball is impelled, comprising a base member adapted to 1,.

be mounted on the upper surface of the game board in registry with an aperture formed therein, a bumper body member connected to said base member, a disc mounted between said members, in close proxirnity to the upper surface of the game board, and having a rockable connection with one of said members, the marginal portion of said disc extending laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting said disc about its rockable connection, said members having cooperating interfitting features, cxtending through apertures in said disc, for connecting said members together with the disc interposed, and switch meanst con.- nected in an electrical Circuit to be Controlled. including a pair of Cooperating elements, one of said elements being mounted for movement with said disc, whereby tilting of said disc sl" 'ts said one element relatively to the other element.

3. A device of the Character described, adapted for use with a game board over which a ball is impelled, comprising a base member adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of the game board in registry with an aperture formed therein, a bumper body member connected to said base member, a disc loosely mounted between said members, in close proximity to the upper surface of the game board, and having a rockable connection with one of said members for movement independently of said members, the marginal portion of said disc extending laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting said disc about its rockable connection, said rockable connection including a central boss on said disc extending loosely into a cavity formed in one of said members, and switch means, connected in an electrical Circuit to be Controlled, including a fixed element and a movable element connected to and movable with said disc and adapted upon tilting of said disc for shifting the movable element relatively to the fixed element.

4. A device of the Character described, adapted for use with a game board over which a ball is impelled, comprising a base member adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of the game board in registry with an aperture formed therein, a bumper body member connected to said base member, a disc loosely mounted between said members, in close proximity to the upper surface of the game board, said members and disc being constructed for assembly as a unitary structure for mcunting directly on the game board, and having a rockable connection with one of said members for movement independently of said members, the marginal portion of said disc extending laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting said disc about its rockable Connection, spring means yieldingly opposing tilting mcvement of said disc, and switch means, connected in an electrical Circuit to be controlled, including a pair of cooperating elements, one of said elements being mounted for movement with. said disc, whereby tilting of said disc shifts said one element relatively to the other element.

5. A device of the Character described, adapted for use with a game board over which a ball is impelled, comprising a base member adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of the game board in registry with an aperture formed therein, a bumper body member connected to base member, a disc loosely mounted between said members, in close prcximity to the upper surface of the game board, and having a :rockable connection with' one of said members for movement independently of said members. the marginal portion of said disc extendi. laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting said disc about its rockable Connection, coil spring mounted in a Cavity in the base member and engaged with the disc for yieldingly. oppcsing tilting movement of said disc. switch means, connected in an electrical Circuit to be Controlled, including a pair of cooperating` elenients one of said elements being mounted for moveme t with said disc, where'by tilting of said disc o. .fts said one element relatively to the other element.

6. A device of the character described, adapted for use with a game board over which a ball is impelled, comprising a base member to be mounted on the upper surface of the board in registry with an apcrture formed there-- in, a bumper body .iembei connected to said base member, a disc loosely mounted between said members, in close proximity to the upper surface of the game board, and having a rockable connection with one of said members for movement independently of said members, the.

marginal portion of said disc extending laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting said disc about its rockable connection, said rockable connection includinga central boss on the upper' surface of the disc extending loosely into a cavity formed in the bottom of the body member, a coil spring seated in a cavity in the base member and engageable with the disc for yieldingly opposing tilting movement of said disc, and switch means, connected in an electrical Circuit to be Controlled, including a pair of cooperating elements, one of said elements being mounted for movement with said disc, whereby tilting of said disc shifts said one element relatively to the other element.

7. A device of the Character described, adapted for use with a game board over which a ball is impelled, comprising a base member adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of the game board in registry with an aperture formed therein, a bumper body member connected to the base member, a disc loosely mounted between said members in close proximity to the upper surface of the game board, and having a rockable connection with said body member for movement independently of said members, the marginal portion of said disc extending laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting the disc about its rockable connection, switch means connected in an electrical Circuit to be Controlled, including a fixed annular contact element disposed in registration With said aperture in the board, and a rod rigidly connected at its upper end to said disc and extending downwardly through the annular contact element, normally in spaced relation to the wall thereof, and adapted to engage said wall for completing the Circuit upon tilting of said disc when the latter is engaged by a ball, and a coil spring seated in a cavity in the base member and connected at its upper end to said rod for yieldingly opposing tilting movement of the disc.

8. A device of the Character described, adapted for use with a game board over which a ball is impelled, comprising a base member adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of the game board in registry with an aperture formed therein, a bumper body member connected to the base member, a disc mounted between said members, in close proximity to the upper surface of the game board, and having a rockable connection with said body member, the marginal portion of said disc extending laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting the disc about its rockable connection, switch means connected in an electrical Circuit to be Controlled, including an annular contact element disposed in registration with said aperture in the board, and a rod rigidly connected at its upper end to said disc and extending downwardly through the annular contact element, normally in spaced relation to the wall thereof, and adapted to engage said wall for completing the Circuit upon tilting of said disc when the latter is engaged by a ball, a coil spring seated in a cavity in the base member and serving to yieldingly oppose tilting movement of the disc, and a terminal clip in the bottom of the cavity of the base member, and providing a seat for the spring for completing the Circuit to said rod.

Cil

9. A device of the character described, adapted for use with a game board over which a ball is impelled, comprising a base member' adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of the game board in registry with an aperture formed therein, a burnper body member connected to the base member, a disc mounted between said members, in close proximity to the upper surface of the game board, and having a rocliable connection With said body member, the marginal portion of said disc extending laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting the disc about its rockable connection, switch means connected in an electrical circuit to bc Controlled, including an annular contact element disposed in registration with said aperture in the board, and a rod rigdly connected at its upper end to said disc and extending downwardly through the annular contact element, normally in spaced relation to the wall thereof, and adapted to engage said Wall for completing the circuit upon tilting of said disc when the latter is engaged by a ball, a coil spring seated in a cavity in the base member and serving to yieldingly oppose tilting movement of the disc, and a terminal clip in the bottom of the cavity of the base member, and providing a seat for the spring for completing the circuit to said rod, said clip being in the form of a ring and having an arm extending downwardly through a groove in said base member and providing a terminal for connection to a conductor wire.

10. A device of the Character described, adapted for use with a game board over which a ball is impelled, comprising a base member adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of the game board in registry with an aperture formed therein, a bumper body member connected to the base member, a disc mounted between said members, in close proxirnity to the upper surface of the game board, and having a rockable connection with said body member, the marginal portion of said disc exten'iing laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting the disc about its roclzable connection, switch means connected in an electrical Circuit to be Controlled, including an annular contact element disposed in registration with said aperture in the board, and a rod rigidly connected at its upper end to said disc and extending downwardly through the annular contact element, normally in spaced relation to the wall thereof, and adapted to engage said wall for completing the Circuit upon tilting of said disc when the latter is engaged by a ball, a coil spring seated in a cavity in the base member and serving to yieldingly oppose tilting movement of the disc, a terminal clip in the bottom of the cavity of the base member, and providing a seat for the spring for completing the Circuit to said rod, said Clip including a depending arm adapted to be bcnt adjacent the underside of the board, and a fastening element adapted to extend through said arm, board, base and connected to said body for securing the device in position on the board.

11. A device of the Character described., adapfed for use with a game board over which a ball is impelled, Comprising a member adcpted to be mounted on thc` upper surface of the game board in registry with an aperture form-cd therein, a bumper body member connected to said base member, a disc mounted between said members, in Close proximity to the upper surface of the game board, and having a rockable connection with one of said members, the marginal portion of said disc extending laterally beyond said members and engageable by a ball travelling over said board for tilting said disc about its rockabie connection, said connection of the members including a pair of telescoping sleeves carried by the respective members, extending through an aperture in said disc, and switch means, connected in an electrical circuit'l to be Controlled, including a pair of cooperating elements, one of said elements being mounted for movernent With said disc, whereby tilting of said disc shifts said one element relatively to the other element.

CHARLES CAESTECKER. 

